Usyk vs Fury 2: Rematch confirmed for December

Jonathan Victoria • 29 May 2024 News

The Gypsy King will get his chance at revenge…

The rumoured rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury is going to be a reality after Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s general entertainment authority, announced it so.

It was said that a rematch was in the works for October but Alalshikh has since posted on X/Twitter saying:

“The rematch between the Undisputed Champion Oleksandr Usyk and the Champion Tyson Fury is now scheduled on the 21 of December 2024 during Riyadh Season...The world will watch another historical fight again...Our commitment to boxing fans continues...We hope you enjoy it…”

Usyk vs Fury 1

Usyk won the first fight via split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999 and the first ever four-belt undisputed heavyweight.

It also handed Fuy his first-ever professional loss while keeping the Ukrainian undefeated himself, so Fury will surely be looking to change that and potentially set up a third and final bout.

Despite the first fight being for all four major heavyweight titles, it is unlikely that the rematch will be for the undisputed crown again as the IBF, one of the four commissions, is planning on stripping Usyk of that one title as he will not be facing its mandatory challenger next.

Return to Riyadh Season

While the rematch has been confirmed and a date has been set, the venue and location within Saudi Arabia have not yet been announced, although in the post, Alalshikh did mention that the fight will come “during Riyadh Season”.

Riyadh Season is an annual state-funded entertainment and sports festival hosted by the city of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Across the city, an array of elite events take place, such as the first fight between the pair which took place at Kingdom Arena.

While a December rematch is some ways away, it is unlikely either fighter will step into the ring against another challenger between now and then due to how much preparation both will need to put in for the second fight.

Both fighters were locked in for the first bout, so they will know they will have to work doubly as hard to overcome their opponent.